More from Rugby League

Challenge Cup: Gareth Ellis free to play in Hull's quarter-final against Catalan Dragons

Hull captain Gareth Ellis has been cleared to lead his side's bid to reach the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Last Updated: 09/07/13 9:49pm

Gareth Ellis: Free to spearhead Hull in Perpignan

The England second-rower was charged with striking Huddersfield scrum-half Luke Robinson during his side's 22-16 Super League defeat by the Giants at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

The challenge angered Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson but Ellis was defended in the post-match news conference by his coach Peter Gentle.

Ellis had the option of submitting an early-guilty plea but elected to contest the grade B charge and his decision was vindicated when he was found not guilty by the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee in Leeds.

The former Leeds and Wests Tigers forward is now free to play in Saturday's Cup quarter-final in Perpignan against Catalan Dragons, who will be without prop Julien Bousquet and three-quarter Mathias Pala through suspension.

Bousquet was given a three-match ban and a £300 fine after being found guilty of a grade C offence of making dangerous contact with London Broncos prop Scott Wheeldon during the Dragons' 34-28 win in Perpignan on Saturday.

Bousquet, who did not have the option of submitting an early-guilty plea after serving a four-match ban earlier in the season, appeared before the disciplinary committee via Skype.

Pala was given a one-match ban for a grade B striking offence on Broncos full-back Luke Dorn in the same game.

Wigan hooker Logan Tomkins will miss his side's quarter-final against Widnes at the DW Stadium on Monday after being punished for making dangerous contact with Bradford centre Michael Platt during his side's 26-20 win over the Bulls last Friday.

Castleford prop Ryan Boyle was given a one-match ban for a high tackle on St Helens winger Francis Meli during the Tigers' 40-24 defeat on Sunday.